January 20, 2023
Most of the upslope clouds which had formed behind yesterday’s frontal passage have dissipated into mostly clear to partly cloudy conditions. Temperatures at midday were right around the 50 degree mark. For at least the next week, and possibly ten days, dry weather will prevail as we fall back into a dry blocking ridge pattern. currently there is a ridge of high pressure with a ridge extending northeastward into the Pacific Northwest and western Canada. The low pressure system responsible for yesterday’s light showers is now centered over northern Arizona. A northerly flow prevails over northern California between the off shore high and the low over the Desert Southwest. This flow is responsible for the marginally above average temperatures which will continue well into next week. this means we will have areas of frost and will eventually be responsible for more and more valley fog and low clouds. The high off shore will widen in scope as it builds further north and east. By the middle of next week, the high will be centered near Washington state, creating a rex block pattern. some models show a dry forecast through the end of the month, however the GFS and two week models are displaying a possible pattern change near the end of the month which could reintroduce precipitation in California. I started seeing this yesterday on the gfs model. Now the newest two week model is following suit.
Forecast: Mostly clear skies through Monday with areas of night and morning fog and low clouds. Mostly clear skies will continue Monday night through Friday with areas of night and morning fog and/or low clouds.
Temperatures:
| Madera 30/52/31/52 | Reedley 31/53/31/52 | Dinuba 30/53/31/53 |
| Porterville 30/52/31/52 | Lindsay 29/52/30/53 | Delano 31/52/32/52 |
| Bakersfield 34/53/35/52 | Taft 37/50/37/52 | Arvin 32/53/33/53 |
| Lamont 33/52/33/53 | Pixley 31/53/32/51 | Tulare 29/52/30/52 |
| Woodlake 30/53/32/52 | Hanford 32/52/33/53 | Orosi 30/52/30/53 |
Wind Discussion: Winds this evening will be mainly out of the northwest at 10 to 20 mph along the center and west side of the valley with stronger gusts. Winds over much of Kern and Tulare counties will be mainly out of the northwest at 8 to 15 mph with stronger gusts through this evening. Winds later tonight will be out of the northwest at 5 to 10 mph. Winds Saturday through Monday will generally be at or less than 7 mph with periods of near calm conditions.
Rain: Expect dry weather for the next week to possibly ten days.
Frost: Most of the upslope clouds had dissipated as of midday. The remainder will clear out through the evening hours, revealing mostly clear skies tonight. Winds will not be a factor. So the first in a series of radiational cooling nights is upon us. Fortunately, it’s nothing too serious. Coldest unprotected river bottom and similar low spots have the potential tonight of dipping down into the 27 to 28 degree range with most flat terrain operations chilling in the 29 to 33 degree range. Similar conditions can be expected the next two or three nights. The inversion tonight will be moderate with temperatures at 34 feet generally running 4 to 8 degrees warmer at most locations. Now that the upslope clouds are no longer a factor, we can concentrate on the fog and how widespread it become. We’re only in the latter part of January so we have roughly 2 weeks of the fog season left. Upper level high pressure will begin to clamp down on the valley and, with recent heavy rains, soil moisture is high, adding to the fog recipe. Slow moderation will occur, but not until Tuesday or so when high temperatures begin to rise into the mid to upper 50s with overnight lows generally in the mid 30s.
Lows Tonight:
| Terra Bella
30 |
Porterville
30 |
Ivanhoe
29 |
Woodlake
29 |
| Strathmore
30 |
McFarland
29 |
Ducor
31 |
Tea Pot Dome
30 |
| Lindsay
29 |
Exeter
28 |
Famoso
30 |
Madera
30 |
| Belridge
29 |
Delano
30 |
North Bakersfield
31 |
Orosi
28 |
| Orange Cove
30 |
Lindcove
29 |
Lindcove Hillside
af |
Sanger River Bottom
27 |
| Root creek
29 |
Venice Hill
30 |
Rosedale
32 |
Jasmine
31 |
| Arvin
33 |
Lamont
32 |
Plainview
30 |
Mettler
30 |
| Edison
33 |
Maricopa
31 |
Holland Creek
32 |
Tivy Valley
29 |
| Kite Road South
32 |
Kite Road North
29 |
AF=Above Freezing
Next report: January 21 morning
At John Hibler Weather Forecasting, it is our goal to provide the most accurate forecasts available. Weather forecasting, unlike any other business, invites errors. Weather, by nature, is chaotic. It is our goal to be as accurate as humanly possible.